Sir Walter Scott's WoodstockWoodstock opens in farce, yet it is one of Scott's darkest novels. It deals with revolution, to Scott the most disturbing of all subjects: 'it appears that every step we made towards liberty, has but brought us in view of more terrific perils'. Written during the financial crisis which culminated in his insolvency, the novel, Scott feared, 'would not stand the test'. Yet it is a major source of interest for, in the superb portrait of Cromwell, it is tempting to see Scott's own self-torturing as he contemplated his ruin. |
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Page xii
... Parliament - men , jealous of the army , and the army - men , suspicious of the Parliament ; the plain villagers and coun- try - folk who were anxious only that the nation should be " settled " upon some permanent basis ; and above all ...
... Parliament - men , jealous of the army , and the army - men , suspicious of the Parliament ; the plain villagers and coun- try - folk who were anxious only that the nation should be " settled " upon some permanent basis ; and above all ...
Page 3
... Parliament voted him half a million pounds to build a residence . Vanbrugh was the architect , and it was named Blenheim Palace in memory of the Duke's great victory over the French and Bavarians in 1704 . The head of one of the ...
... Parliament voted him half a million pounds to build a residence . Vanbrugh was the architect , and it was named Blenheim Palace in memory of the Duke's great victory over the French and Bavarians in 1704 . The head of one of the ...
Page 9
... Parliamentary officers ] were quartered , they excluded the minister from his pulpit ; and , usurping his place , con- veyed their sentiments to the audience , with all the authority which followed their power , their valour , and their ...
... Parliamentary officers ] were quartered , they excluded the minister from his pulpit ; and , usurping his place , con- veyed their sentiments to the audience , with all the authority which followed their power , their valour , and their ...
Page 12
... Parliament they asserted them- selves vigorously , became leaders in the army , which was gradually remodelled ( the " New Model " ) through their instrumentality , and were the strongest weapon in the hand of Cromwell . Their jealousy ...
... Parliament they asserted them- selves vigorously , became leaders in the army , which was gradually remodelled ( the " New Model " ) through their instrumentality , and were the strongest weapon in the hand of Cromwell . Their jealousy ...
Page 17
... Parliament had gone out , for selling the park of Woodstock , destroying its lodge , disparking its forest , and erasing , as far as they could be erased , all traces of its ancient fame . Many of the citizens were likely to be ...
... Parliament had gone out , for selling the park of Woodstock , destroying its lodge , disparking its forest , and erasing , as far as they could be erased , all traces of its ancient fame . Many of the citizens were likely to be ...
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Common terms and phrases
Albert Lee Alice Lee answered apartment arms better betwixt Bevis Bletson called Captain cavalier CHAPTER character Charles Church cloak Colonel Everard command Commissioners Cromwell Cromwell's danger daughter Desborough devil divine Doctor Rochecliffe door England escape exclaimed eyes father fear feelings followed gentleman Gilbert Pearson give hand Harrison hath head hear heard heart Heaven honour Joceline Joliffe King King's King's Oak Lodge Long Parliament look Lord Louis Kerneguy Majesty Markham Everard Master Holdenough mind Mistress Alice never old knight Old Mortality Parliament party person Phoebe poor Presbyterian Prince quarterstaff rapier replied roundhead royal Royalist Scott seemed shew Sir Henry Lee soldier speak spoke sword tell thee things thou art thou hast thought tion Tomkins tone trust turn voice Wildrake Woodstock Woodstock town words worthy yonder young Zerubbabel دو وو
Popular passages
Page 152 - I went out to Charing Cross to see Major-general Harrison hanged, drawn, and quartered ; which was done there, he looking as cheerful as any man could do in that condition.
Page xvi - ... if misfortune had spared them. My poor people whom I loved so well ! — There is just another die to turn up against me in this run of illluck...
Page 391 - Through skies, where I could count each little star. The fanning west wind scarcely stirs the leaves ; The river, rushing o'er its pebbled bed, Imposes silence, with a stilly sound. In such a place as this, at such...
Page 360 - Was I deceived, or did a sable cloud Turn forth her silver lining on the night? I did not err, there does a sable cloud Turn forth her silver lining on the night...
Page 538 - Labyrinth, whose ruins, together with her Well, being paved with square stones in the bottom, and also her Tower, from which the Labyrinth did run, are yet remaining, being vaults arched and walled with stone and brick, almost inextricably wound within one another, by which, if at any time her lodging were laid about by the Queen, she might easily avoid peril imminent, and, if need be, by secret issues take the air abroad, many furlongs about Woodstock in Oxfordshire...
Page 543 - Commissioners' servants, as they were in bed in the same room with their honours, had their bed's feet lifted up so much higher than their heads, that they expected to have their necks broken, and then they were let fall at once with such violence as...
Page xv - ... so at least. I have the satisfaction to recollect that my prosperity has been of advantage to many, and that some at least will forgive my transient wealth on account of the innocence of my intentions, and my real wish to do good to the poor. This news will make sad hearts at Darnick.3 and in the cottages of Abbotsford, which I do not nourish the least hope of preserving.
Page 14 - Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously, because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
Page 203 - Now it is the time of night, That the graves, all gaping wide, Every one lets forth his sprite, In the church-way paths to glide.
Page 490 - The king therefore, for her defence, Against the furious queen, At Woodstock builded such a bower, The like was never seen. Most curiously that bower was built Of stone and timber strong, An hundred and fifty doors Did to this bower belong. And they so cunningly contrived With turnings round about, That none but with a clue of thread Could enter in or out.